At the March 15, 2000 scheduling prehearing conference, Commissioner Neeper and I set a March 24, 2000 deadline by which parties were required to submit cross-examination estimates by witness, issue area, and disputed facts to allow us to set the schedule for evidentiary hearings. We encouraged parties to attempt to reach agreement on how to allocate the limited time available for hearings between opening argument and cross-examination and between parties. On March 22, 2000, I received a letter from the parties (see Attachment 1) indicating they have reached agreement on how to allocate the available time.

I have consulted with Commissioner Neeper's office and the approach proposed by the parties is acceptable to us. Consistent with the letter, April 3 will be dedicated to opening arguments on issues of law and policy, as well as the case the party intends to present. Time for oral argument will be allocated as set forth in the letter. Parties will develop a preliminary agreed upon order of witnesses designed to accommodate any scheduling conflicts and submit that order to me by March 29.

The parties have also requested one additional hearing day. I have consulted with the calendar clerk and have determined that no hearing rooms will be available on April 13. Therefore, in lieu of an additional day of hearings, on April 12 hearings will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a 75 minute lunch break. This will provide an additional 90 minutes of hearing time, which will be allocated pro rata amongst the parties.

IT IS RULED that:

1. Evidentiary hearings will commence April 3, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.

2. Opening arguments will take place on April 3, 2000 as set forth in Attachment 1.

3. Hearings will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 4-7 and April 11, 2000. Hearings will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 10 and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 12.

4. Parties will receive the amount of cross-examination time set forth in Attachment 1, but parties will receive additional minutes based on a prorate allocation of 90 minutes.

Dated March 24, 2000, at San Francisco, California.

Michelle Cooke

Administrative Law Judge

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that I have by mail this day served a true copy of the original attached Administrative Law Judge's Ruling Addressing Scheduling Issues on all parties of record in this proceeding or their attorneys of record. In addition, service was also performed by electronic mail.

Dated March 24, 2000, at San Francisco, California.

Erlinda A. Pulmano

NOTICE

Parties should notify the Process Office, Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2000, San Francisco, CA 94102, of any change of address to insure that they continue to receive documents. You must indicate the proceeding number on the service list on which your name appears.

The Commission's policy is to schedule hearings (meetings, workshops, etc.) in locations that are accessible to people with disabilities. To verify that a particular location is accessible, call: Calendar Clerk (415) 703-1203.

If specialized accommodations for the disabled are needed, e.g., sign language interpreters, those making the arrangements must call the Public Advisor at (415) 703-2074 or TDD# (415) 703-2032 five working days in advance of the event.